OFFICERS of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) have seized more than 45 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine and recovered an illegal firearm during an intelligence-led operation at Springlands, Corriverton, Berbice, on Friday.
According to CANU, officers, acting on information, searched two cardboard boxes and discovered 40 brick-like parcels containing a whitish powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. A preliminary field test returned positive results for the narcotic.
Further searches led to the discovery of an EKOL ASI UZI firearm fitted with a magazine containing ammunition.
Two persons were arrested and escorted to CANU Headquarters along with the suspected narcotics and firearm.
CANU said the cocaine weighed approximately 45.644 kilogrammes, or about 100 pounds, with an estimated local street value of around $50 million Guyana dollars and almost €1.575 million on the European market.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the shipment was destined for Europe.
“The seizure highlights CANU’s continued commitment to disrupting transnational narcotics-trafficking networks, intercepting illicit drug shipments destined for international markets, and removing illegal firearms from communities,” the agency stated.
CANU added that intelligence-led operations and regional co-operation remain essential in protecting Guyana’s borders and strengthening national security.
Investigations are ongoing.